Michigan all-state middle blocker Amber Rogers and University High School defensive specialist Wendi Roesch are the latest additions to the Illinois State University volleyball program.
At 6-foot-1, Rogers is already an accomplished blocker with growing offensive skills. She was a two-time all-conference, all-region and all-area selection at Mona Shores High School before earning third team all-state honors as a senior. Rogers averaged 3.3 kills and 1.8 blocks per game as a senior, leading Mona Shores to a 39-18-1 record.
Roesch, 5-foot-4, was a four-year starter in University High teams which won 153 matches and two Illinois High School Association Class A championships. Like ISU teammate Becky Weber, Roesch played in four straight IHSA tournaments at Redbird Arena, finishing in the elite eight as a freshman and fourth as a sophomore before earning back-to-back championships in 1999 and 2000.
A native of Bloomington, she continues a tradition of Central Illinois players staying home to play at Illinois State. Current Redbird teammates Abby Lewis (Normal West), Jenny Kabbes (Bloomington Central Catholic) and Erin Jones (Normal Community) all have stayed home to play at ISU.
Redbird head coach Sharon Dingman likes what Rogers and Roesch bring to Illinois State.
"Amber and Wendi are both great additions to Redbird volleyball," said Dingman. "They are gifted both athletically and academically, and both of them are excited to be Redbirds."
Rogers and Roesch join 5-foot-10 setter Kelly Rikli of Highlands Ranch, Colo., in the Illinois State volleyball recruiting class for 2001-2002, the first class for second-year Redbird head coach Sharon Dingman.
names pronounced: RICK-lee (Kelly Rikli)
RUSH (Wendi Roesch)
2001 ILLINOIS STATE VOLLEYBALL SIGNEES
Kelly Rikli, 5-10, S., Highlands Ranch, CO (Highlands Ranch H.S.) -- signed in November, 2000
Wendi Roesch, 5-4, DS, Bloomington, IL (University H.S.) -- signed in April, 2001
Amber Rogers, 6-1, MB, Muskegon, MI (Mona Shores H.S.) -- signed in April, 2001
2001 SPRING REDBIRD VOLLEYBALL RECRUITS
AMBER ROGERS, 6-1, Middle Blocker
Muskegon, Mich.
Mona Shores High School
Club Volleyball: Inside Out
ROGERS NOTES: Third-team all-state selection in 2000 ... two-time all-region, all-conference and three-time all-region selection ... averaged 3.3 kills and 1.8 blocks per game as a senior ... captained high school team to 39-18-1 record as a senior, with 45-14-2 mark as a junior ... high school coach was Kyle Kurant ... club coach were Amy Delong and Shawn Subdon ... National Honor Society member ... daughter of Richard and Denise Rogers, with brothers Eric and Hunter ... full name is Amber Denise Rogers, born Dec. 9, 1982 in Mobile, Ala.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON AMBER ROGERS:
"Amber is a middle blocker with very good blocking skills and the potential to have very good offensive skills. Her blocking is ahead of her offensive game right now, however, with her athleticism and desire to improve, we anticipate that gap closing. She has good lateral speed and a long reach. Amber is young to the game, so her potential is exciting to consider."
QUOTES FROM AMBER ROGERS:
"Illinois State was the best choice for me. The team and coaches were impressive and I loved the Redbird atmosphere. The community support and the fact that volleyball is a priority sport at Illinois State makes a big difference. I will work hard to get my game quicker and up to speed. The coaches have a great style."
WENDI ROESCH, 5-4, Defensive Specialist
Bloomington, Ill.
University High School
Club Volleyball: Illinois Juniors
ROESCH NOTES: Second-team all-area selection by the Pantagraph in 2000; honorable mention in 1999 ... two-time first-team all-Corn Belt Conference ... four-year back-row starter for University High School teams which went 153-18 and won back-to-back state championships in 1999 and 2000 ... led U-High in service aces with 36 in 2000 ... played in IHSA State Finals at Redbird Arena all four years ... teams finished fourth in 1998 and reached the elite eight in 1997 ... daughter of Dennis and Tina Roesch, both Illinois State alums, with sister Heidi ... prep coach was Char Lehnen, an Illinois State alum ... Illinois Juniors Club team finished 13th at junior olympic nationals in 2000 ... club coach was Tony Gliwa, who was the prep coach for Roesch's ISU teammate, Jenny Kabbes ... honor roll student in high school ... Wendi Marie Roesch, born May 5, 1983 ... last name pronounced RUSH ... plans to major in criminal justice and become an FBI agent.
COACH SHARON DINGMAN ON WENDI ROESCH:
"Wendi will bring a defensive attitude to our program which will raise our team's level of play. She understands the role of a defensive specialist and embraces the challenges of playing that position. She comes from a great high school program and is a proven winner. Because of her experience of playing at very high levels, and because of the coaching she received, she will adapt very easily to the college game."
QUOTES FROM WENDI ROESCH:
"I like the way the team plays. Illinois State has great coaches and a great criminal justice program, so the academics and volleyball situations both worked out for me. Plus, my parents will be able to come to my games. I think it's great that so many people want to stay in Bloomington-Normal and play at Illinois State. Coming from a winning high school tradition, I want to help Illinois State continue its tradition."
